The Magistrate’s Court in Chitipa has sentenced 22-year-old Joseph Kaonga to 14 years in prison for engaging in sexual relations with a 13-year-old girl.

The court heard from government sources, through Sergeant Samuel Ndafewa, that Kaonga had sexual relations with the girl three times during the night of September 18 and 19, 2024.

Ndafewa added that in an attempt to prevent the girl from reporting the incident, Kaonga offered her a biscuit, an energy drink, and a total of K2,200.

During the court proceedings, the government presented three witnesses; however, in the end, Kaonga pleaded with the court for leniency, claiming he was trying to support his family and that he acted out of weakness.

In delivering the verdict, First Grade Magistrate Billy Ngosi stated that Kaonga must serve 14 years in prison so that others should get a lesson.